The Christian music scene’s diverse musical genres and a pool of mostly homegrown talent will combine Saturday in Mineola for the inaugural East Texas Revive Fest, which hopefully will become music to the ears of people in need.

The Mineola Nature Preserve will host the daylong event, which will showcase a variety of musical styles: hip hop, gospel, country, rock, Mexican Huapango, contemporary, pop and alternative. Aside from Ashley Lagunas and the band Chasing Lions, the rest of the talent to be assembled on stage Saturday is homegrown, according to Revive Fest chairman Lee Martin.

Along with Lagunas and Chasing Lions, the lineup includes hip hop artist Exalt, Jill Brandon, 24 Se7en Band, Crowned in Grace, Adolphus Harrison, Jermaine Jackson, Trio San Nicolas Hidalgo, Grupo Getsemani, Cheyenne McIlvain, Church of Garden Valley Worship Team and Finding Grace.

Martin, a five-year resident of Mineola, had been living in Pennsylvanian when he served on a board that produced the highly successful Uprise Festival in Shippensburg, Pa. Now in its 15th year, the Uprise Festival draws thousands of concert-goers and top Christian music acts from across the nation.

“I always wanted to do something like that on my own,” said Martin.

The former youth pastor wants the Mineola festival to bring people together and inspire them. He also wants it to produce enough proceeds to grow the festival for future years while helping people in need.

Already, several area food banks have benefited from ticket sales, according to Martin. Eventually, he wants to see a portion of festival proceeds directed toward service projects – projects such as roof repairs for elderly homeowners.

“There’re a lot of fixed-income people in this area; it’s a retirement area,” he noted.

Along with the lineup of performers, several inspirational speakers will also appear, including:  Tonya Slayton, Pastor Brad Williams, Pastor Demethrius Boyd, and Jad Dusek. Arts and crafts vendors as well as food vendors will be on grounds.

Tickets: $15 at the gate. Admission is free for children 12 and younger as well as youth pastors. Parking is $1 per vehicle.  Advance tickets will be available for $12 online at: www.easttexasrevivefest.com  or in person at Reyes Payment Place at 2595 W. U.S. 80, Mineola.  Those attending are advised to bring blankets, lawn chairs, sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats.  No outside coolers or outside food will be allowed and there will be no alcohol sold at this event.

Gates will open at 10 a.m. and the first band will start at 11 a.m.